Curtain Call Chapter 13: One More Try, a glee fanfic

ACT 7, SCENE 50

INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, GYMNASIUM

A SERIES OF SNAPSHOTS: EVIDENTLY TAKEN BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER HIRED FOR THE DANCE.

BRITTANY AND SANTANA - IN LAVENDER GOWNS, BRITTANY STICKING HER TONGUE OUT AND SANTANA ROLLING HER EYES.

MERCEDES AND SAM - HE IN A PURPLE SUIT AND HER IN A RED, CORSETED GOWN - BOTH GRINNING SO WIDE.

PUCK AND QUINN - HE'S DRESSED LIKE DON JOHNSON IN MIAMI VICE, AND SHE'S WEARING BLACK, WITH A SPLIT REVEALING SO MUCH LEG.

ARTIE AND SUGAR - HIS SUIT IS GOLD - NO LIE. SHE'S WEARING BURGUNDY, SITTING IN HIS LAP.

MIKE AND TINA - MIKE'S IN ALL-WHITE, TINA IN ALL-BLACK, WITH STRAPPY SCARVES COVERING HER ARMS, STRIKING 'TAKE THAT' POSES.

RORY AND BECKY - SHE'S WEARING A VIOLET DRESS, AND HE'S WEARING RED. BOTH PULLING FUNNY FACES.

BLAINE AND KURT - IN MATCHING SOFT CREAM SUITS, HERO POSES, BACK TO BACK, CHESTS PUFFED OUT, THUMBS HOOKED IN LAPELS.

RACHEL AND FINN - HE DAPPER IN BLUE, HER STUNNING IN PINK. HE'S STANDING BEHIND HER, ARMS FOLDED ON TOP OF HER HEAD, RESTING HIS CHIN.

THE DANCE IS SWINGING. THE MCKINLEY HIGH GLEE CLUB HAS THE CROWD GOING.

GLEE CLUB

So no one told you life was gonna be this way.

Your job's a joke, you're broke, your lovelife's DOA.

It's like you're always stuck in second gear.

Oh, when it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but...

THE NEW DIRECTIONS ARE CROWDED AROUND THE STAGE LIKE GROUPIES, ALL OF THEM SINGING ALONG.

GLEE CLUB (cont'd)

I'll be there for you.

When the rain starts to pour.

I'll be there for you.

Like I've been there before.

I'll be there for you.

Coz you're there for me too.

ON IMPULSE, STEVEN AND MICHAEL LEAP OFF THE STAGE WITH THEIR MICROPHONES, ENCOURAGING THE NEW DIRECTIONS ALUMS TO HELP OUT WITH LEAD VOCALS.

GLEECLUB(cont'd)

You're still in bed at 10, at work again at 8.

You burned your breakfast, so far things are going great.

Your mother warned you there'd be days like these.

But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees, and...

I'll be there for you.

When the rain starts to pour.

I'll be there for you.

Like I've been there before.

I'll be there for you.

Coz you're there for me too.

STEVEN SHOVES THE MICROPHONE INTO FINN'S HAND, GESTURING FOR HIM TO TAKE IT HOME. FINN GRINS, TAKES RACHEL'S HAND, AND SINGS TO HER.

FINN

No one could ever know me.

No one could ever see me.

Since you're the only one who knows,

What it's like to be me.

GRINNING, RACHEL STARTS SINGING ALONG.

FINN & RACHEL

Someone to face the day with.

Make it through all the mess with.

Someone I'll always laugh with.

Even at my worst, my best is you... yeah!

QUINN, UNABLE TO WATCH ANYMORE, TURNS AND HEADS FOR THE DOOR. PUCK WHIRLS ROUND, GRABS HER HAND.

PUCK

Where are you going?

QUINN

The bathroom.

SHE SLIPS OUT OF HIS GRASP. PUCK GRINDS HIS TEETH. SANTANA WATCHES THE EXCHANGE WITH A CURIOUS EXPRESSION ON HER FACE.

GLEE CLUB

It's like you're always stuck in second gear.

Oh, when it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.

I'll be there for you.

When the rain starts to pour.

I'll be there for you.

Like I've been there before.

I'll be there for you.

Coz you're there for me too.

HOOTS AND CAT-CALLS AS THE BAND FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH. APPLAUDING AS HARD AS THE REST, A BEAMING MR. SCHUESTER TAKES THE STAGE. HE STEPS UP TO THE - NOW-RESTORED - MICROPHONE.

WILL

Alright! Give it up for the McKinley Sound Machine!

WILD APPLAUSE AS THE NEW GLEE KIDS TAKE THEIR BOWS, AND TROOP OFF STAGE.

WILL (cont'd)

Now, you all know we're not only celebrating the Titans epic win against Marshal this afternoon...!

LOUDEST CHEER OF THE NIGHT. WILL LAUGHS AND APPLAUDS.

WILL (cont'd)

We're also here to welcome back the New Directions - on the tenth anniversary of the day the club was formed.

(BEAT)

A lot of you kids don't know this, but... I almost quit the school - and teaching altogether - in 2009.

VOICE IN THE CROWD

Oh, so close!

CROWD LAUGHS. WILL CHUCKLES GOOD-NATUREDLY.

WILL

What saved me from making what would have been the biggest mistake of my life... were these guys. I was almost literally out the door, when I heard them singing in the auditorium. I went in, and what I saw there that day... was hope.

(BEAT)

That different kids with different dreams could come together to make music - and as a result, make all our lives better. I wanna thank you guys for giving me that gift.

SANTANA

We love you, Mr. Schu!

WILL

I love you too.

(BEAT)

Now, Finn tells me the five original members are gonna perform for us, so... McKinley High, for the first time in seven years, let's hear it for the New Directions!

MORE APPLAUSE AS FINN, RACHEL, KURT, MERCEDES AND TINA TAKE THE STAGE. THEY ALL LOOK SURPRISINGLY NERVOUS. BUT ONCE SETTLED, THEY SMILE AT EACH OTHER, AND SUDDENLY IT'S 2009 AGAIN. AND THEY'RE BACK WHERE THEY BELONG.

FINN

It was 1989, my thoughts were short, my hair was long.

Caught somewhere between a boy and man.

(A SMILE FOR RACHEL)

She was 17 and she was far from in between.

It was summer time in northern Michigan.

KIDS

You go, Mr. H!

MERCEDES & TINA & KURT & RACHEL

La, la, la...

FINN

Splashing through the sandbar.

Talking by the campfire,

It's the simple things in life,

Like when and where.

We didn't have no internet,

But man, I never will forget,

The way the moonlight shined upon her hair.

CUT TO:

ACT 7, SCENE 51

INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, GIRLS' BATHROOM

QUINN IS STANDING AT THE SINK, LEANING ON IT FOR SUPPORT, AND ONE HAND COVERING HER MOUTH AS SHE SOBS, DESPERATELY.

GROUP

And we were trying different things,

And we were smoking funny things.

Making love out by the lake to our favourite song.

Sipping whiskey out the bottle,

Not thinking 'bout tomorrow.

Singing Sweet Home Alabama all summer long.

QUINN

No.

(BEAT)

No, Quinn, don't do this.

SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH, LOOKS UP TO CATCH HER REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR. AND SEES PUCK IN THE DOORWAY BEHIND HER.

CUT TO:

ACT 7, SCENE 52

INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, GYMNASIUM

THEY'VE GOT THE CROWD DANCING.

FINN

Now nothing seems as strange,

As when the leaves began to change,

Or how we thought those days would never end.

FINN TURNS TO RACHEL, SWAYING IN THE BACKGROUND, AND ALMOST FALTERS FOR A SECOND. SHE'S BREATHTAKING.

FINN(cont'd)

Sometimes I hear that song, and I'll start to sing along,

And think, man I'd love to see that girl again.

GROUP

And we were trying different things,

And we were smoking funny things.

Making love out by the lake to our favourite song.

Sipping whiskey out the bottle,

Not thinking 'bout tomorrow.

Singing Sweet Home Alabama all summer long.

And we were trying different things,

And we were smoking funny things.

Making love out by the lake to our favourite song.

Sipping whiskey out the bottle,

Not thinking 'bout tomorrow.

Singing Sweet Home Alabama all summer long.

CROWD GOES BANANAS. AND APPLES AND ORANGES AND EVEN KUMQUATS.

CUT TO:

ACT 7, SCENE 53

INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, GIRLS' BATHROOM / HALLWAY

QUINN HURRIEDLY TRIES TO FIX HER MAKE-UP. PUCK AFFECTS NOT TO NOTICE.

PUCK

You know, I've been thinking a lot about things these past couple days.

(BEAT)

It's making my head hurt.

QUINN

Thinking about what?

PUCK

You.

(BEAT)

Me.

(BEAT)

Us.

(BEAT)

Home.

QUINN

Puck...

PUCK

(HOLDS UP A HAND)

Just... let me get through this, okay?

(BEAT)

You and me were never gonna work, Q. I wanted it to.

(BEAT)

Sometimes... I hope you did too.

QUINN

I did.

PUCK

But it was always just... a dream.

(BEAT)

We gave the world Beth, and she's beyond awesome. Beyond amazing.

(BEAT)

But, I think, she's going to be our story.

QUINN

What are you saying? Are you breaking up with me?

PUCK

I'm saying, I gotta walk away from this.

QUINN

But why? Anything you think is going on, it's not-

PUCK

Because if I was in there singing to another girl... you wouldn't take off. You wouldn't come in here and cry your eyes out.

(BEAT)

Would you?

QUINN

I'm trying, Puck. God knows, I'm trying.

PUCK

Trying's not enough. It never was.

HE TURNS, AND WALKS OUT THE DOOR. WE FOLLOW HIM AS HE HEADS BACK TO THE GYM.

PUCK(cont'd)

I told you everything,

Opened up and let you in.

You made me feel alright,

For once in my life.

THEN BACK TO QUINN IN THE BATHROOM, STARING AT HERSELF IN THE MIRROR, AND BARELY RECOGNISING HER OWN FACE.

QUINN

Now all that's left of me,

Is what I pretend to be.

So together, but so broken up inside.

QUINN & PUCK

Coz I can't breathe,

No, I can't sleep,

I'm barely hanging on.

PUCK REACHES THE DOOR TO THE GYM, REACHES UP TO PUSH IT OPEN. AND STOPS. HE HANGS HIS HEAD, SCREWS HIS EYES SHUT, FIGHTING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER.

PUCK

Here I am, once again,

I'm torn into pieces.

Can't deny it, can't pretend,

Just thought you were the one.

QUINN LOOKS LIKE SHE'S COMPOSED HERSELF - AND HER FACE IS NOW A BLANK, UNFEELING MASK AS SHE ROBOTICALLY WIPES AWAY THE STREAKS OF MASCARA CUTTING LINES DOWN HER CHEEKS.

QUINN

Broken up, deep inside,

But you won't get to see these tears I cry.

Behind these hazel eyes.

CUT TO:

ACT 7, SCENE 54

INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, GYMNASIUM

QUINN HAS JUST COME BACK IN - TO FIND EVERYBODY WATCHING FINN UP ON STAGE. SHE'S CONFUSED, GLANCES ROUND AND FINDS RACHEL STANDING OFF TO THE SIDE. QUINN HEADS TOWARDS HER, BUT FALTERS AS SHE TUNES IN TO WHAT FINN'S SAYING.

FINN

Rachel... seven years ago, on another stage, I made a promise to love you forever. Hard as I fought it... much as I hated myself for it sometimes... I kept that promise. It's as true today as it was then, so... so I'm going to ask you the same question...

HE REACHES INTO THE INNER POCKET OF HIS JACKET AND PULLS OUT A RING. THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS CATCH THE DIAMOND SETTING AND IT SPARKLES. THE CROWD GOES:

CROWD

Oooh...

FINN

This is the same ring. I'm asking you to wear it again.

(BEAT)

Rachel Berry... will you marry me?

THE ENTIRE CROWD, LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF CHILDREN OF THE CORN, ALL TURN TO RACHEL AT ONCE TO GET HER REACTION.

SHE LOOKS SHOCKED. HER EYES DART BETWEEN AN EARNEST, ALMOST FEARFUL FINN, AND A STUNNED, PAINED QUINN. RACHEL OPENS HER MOUTH TO SPEAK, AND...

NOTHING COMES OUT.

FINN (cont'd)

Rachel?

MOVING LIKE SHE'S UNDERWATER, RACHEL TEARS HER EYES AWAY FROM QUINN AND LOOKS AT FINN. SHE'S TREMBLING.

FINN (cont'd)

Rachel.

HE JUMPS OFF STAGE. THE CROWD PARTS, ALLOWING HIM A CLEAR PATH TO HER. HE STRIDES FORWARD, LOOKING DETERMINED. BUT THE CLOSER HE GETS, THE MORE HE READS THE TRUTH ON HER FACE - AND HIS STEP FALTERS. UNTIL HE STOPS, JUST A FEW FEET SHY.

HE TURNS ON THE SPOT, AND LOOKS AT QUINN. SHE FLINCHES BACK, EXPECTING ANGER FROM HIM. BUT THERE IS NONE.

THEN, ALMOST CHOREOGRAPHED, THEY BOTH TURN TO RACHEL. AND THE THREE FORM THE POINTS OF A TRIANGLE, SURROUNDED BY A SEA OF CURIOUS FACES.

BUT THEN THE LIGHTS DIM, AND JUST RACHEL, QUINN AND FINN ARE LIT, AS IF BY A MAGIC SPOTLIGHT, EVERYONE ELSE FADING TO NOTHINGNESS.

RACHEL CASTS HER EYES DOWN, HER HAIR HANGING OVER HER FACE. SHE TAKES A DEEP, CALMING BREATH, AND WHEN SHE LOOKS UP AGAIN, QUINN HAS FADED.

SHE'S ALONE WITH FINN.

RACHEL

Remember when we held on in the rain?

The nights we almost lost it.

Once again, we can take the night into tomorrow.

Living our feelings.

Touching you I feel it all again.

SHE STEPS FORWARD, REACHES UP, AND SOFTLY CARESSES HIS OPEN, HONEST, TRUSTING FACE. AND SHE SINGS HER HEARTBREAK.

RACHEL(cont'd)

Didn't we almost have it all?

When love was all we had worth giving.

The ride with you was worth the fall, my friend.

Loving you makes life worth living.

Didn't we almost have it all?

The nights we held on til the morning.

You know you'll never love that way again.

Didn't we almost have it all?

FINN STAGGERS BACKWARDS. RACHEL KEEPS REACHING FOR HIM, BUT HE'S SOON OUT OF TOUCH. HE DROPS THE RING. SLOW-MOTION AS WE FOLLOW IT DOWNWARDS, TIL IT HITS THE FLOOR AND STARTS SPINNING. ROUND AND ROUND, UNTIL IT STOPS.

SWING BACK UP, AND RACHEL SPINS AWAY FROM THE RING. THE LIGHT FOLLOWS HER, AND NOW WE SEE QUINN THERE, WAITING, BREATHLESS.

RACHEL (cont'd)

Didn't we have the best of times,

When love was young and new?

Couldn't we reach inside and find,

That world of me and you?

SHE REACHES OUT, AND SLOWLY - OH SO SLOWLY - QUINN TAKES HER HAND. AND A SMILE BREAKS OUT ON HER FACE.

RACHEL (cont'd)

We'll never lose it again.

Coz once you know what love is,

You never let it end.

FINN APPEARS BEHIND THEM, LOOKING SHATTERED. WE STAY FOCUSED ON HIM, AS RACHEL FINISHES THE SONG.

RACHEL(cont'd)

Didn't we almost have it all?

The nights we held on til the morning.

You know you'll never love that way again.

Didn't we almost have it all?

THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON.

RACHEL IS STANDING WITH QUINN. FINN IS ALONE, STARING AT THE ENGAGEMENT RING WHERE HE DROPPED IT ON THE FLOOR. AROUND THEM, THE CROWD ARE WHISPERING TO EACH OTHER. FINALLY, FINN LOOKS UP.

RACHEL (cont'd)

I'm sorry.

FINN

Don't be.

(BEAT)

We almost had it all. It's more than most people ever get.

AND WITH THAT, HE TROOPS THROUGH THE CROWD WHO, ONCE AGAIN, MAKE WAY FOR HIM. RACHEL'S LIP IS TREMBLING AS TEARS BUILD IN HER EYES. QUINN PULLS HER CLOSE, AND:

COMMERCIAL BREAK: